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This story was submitted to the People’ War by a volunteer from The Chepstow Society on behalf of Amy Brown and has been added to the site with her permission. Amy Brown fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

PARENTS

Father worked in the Compressor House at the shipyard during the war as a fitter.

Mother looked after her family (Amy, plus two sisters and a brother).

BACKGROUND

Amy left school at 14 and a half years age and her first job was in the Bon Marche, Chepstow.

WAR YEARS

Amy was called up at the age of 18 and out of the choice given her she chose the local shipyard, first working in the carpenters’ shop then helping to build the landing craft(TLC’s).

Hours of work - 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.(due to blackout). Rate of pay - can’t remember exactly but says it was better than she received before the war!

Amy remained at the shipyard throughout the war years until peace was declared and then had to look for a job again and was able(through the local job office)to return to working in the Bon Marche in Chepstow.

HOME LIFE

Her mother was a good cook and her father a good gardener with an allotment in Garden City as well as his own back garden.

ENTERTAINMENT

Radio at home.
Rushed home from work to queue at local cinema.
Dances in Public Hall(2/6d).
Scottish soldiers played on the bagpipes in The Dell for folk to dance.

SHOPPING

Family shopped in Chepstow Farmers for their groceries.
Clothes in Bon Marche.

TROOPS

Indian Army, Paratroopers, Americans(training in Chepstow). Remembers after VE Day the troops waiting in Station Road for their trains.

VE Day

Dance held in Public Hall.

Amy can’t remember local events but does remember saving silver paper for the old hospital(now the museum).

Does remember Margaret Lockwood opening the cinema.

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